Alberto Ramirez Daniel

Alberto was born January 14, 1970 in Ejido La Fierrita Tamaulipas, Mexico to Alberto Daniel (50) and Guadalupe Ramirez (54). He had three sisters, three half sisters and two half brothers. Growing up, he loved school and was always one of the top students in his classes. His childhood education was attended in Mexico where graduated high school, equivalent to 9th grade in the US. Soon after, his mother passed away in 1985 when Alberto was 15. Shortly after her passing, he moved to Prosser, Washington to live with an aunt. While living in Washington, he worked in the fields for two years before he started going back to school in 1987, at Prosser High School. He would pick asparagus in Washington, potatoes in Idaho, and potatoes and carrots in Utah. He managed to finish 9th and 10th grade in one year, played football and wrestled his junior year all while having a job and having to study. His days started at 4am working and finished at 11pm from attending school during the day and night. Alberto didn't know any English but while attending school, he taught himself. He was at a great disadvantage but still he managed to adapt and overcome all his struggles.

While at Prosser High School, Alberto was chosen as the student representative in the Washington State Advisory Council for Migrant Education. He was the only student on the council who advised the Director of Migrant Education on the state's direction for Migrant education. He was elected this position at the Migrant Student Leadership Conference in Cheney in 1989, after three days of group meetings and campaign speeches. While there, Alberto met his wife, Josefina Ramos. He later moved to Florida to join his sisters that same year and graduated in 1990 from Atlantic Community High School in Delray Beach, Fl. He was one of two students honored by the State Department of Education and received the Joseph and Gloria Mattera scholarship and an additional $500 to continue education.

In the evening, he worked part time at a grocery store while also attending a night class for a half credit he still needed. Upon graduation, he went to college for 1 year at Palm Beach Community College and continued working at the kitchen of Heritage Park retirement home .

In June of 1991, Josefina flew to Florida to then live with him for four months when they decided to move back to Washington. That same year, they were married by the civil court. On June 13, 1992 they wed and were expecting their first child Josefina De Guadalupe (28). Alberto was 24 when his father passed away and was expecting his second child, Bianca Azusena (26). He went on to have 3 more children; Alberto D. (23) in 1998, Lizbeth Dilenia (22) in 1999 and Angel E. (17) in 2004.

Alberto started working at Highland High School in 1992 as a paraeducator, soccer coach and wrestling coach until 2006. He started the Highland High School girls soccer program in 2002. Alberto also coached soccer and wrestling for Tieton Middle School and soccer for Union Gap Middle School. During his time at the Highland school district, he received many awards. In 2004-2005 he earned Coach of the Year for girls soccer 1A division. In 2004-2005 he earned Coach of the Year for boys soccer 2A division. In 2005-2006 his boys soccer team won state championships. That year, he earned Coach of the Year for boys soccer 2A division, the Jack Clevland Coach of the Year award and All State Coach of the Year. Alberto left the Highland School District in 2006 and began working at Eisenhower High School that same year as a paraeducator until he became disabled in 2016. While there he was the soccer coach until 2009. He also coached soccer for a few middle schools while in the Yakima School District.

Every summer Alberto would go to the fields to thin apple trees in Cowiche, inspect pear bins at different warehouses in Cowiche, Zillah and Selah and be a tractor driver for cherry season in Sunnyside, he did it all.

Around 2007, he had two strokes which caused half his face to become paralyzed. In 2016 he got his left leg amputated. This was a hard adjustment for him but he never gave up. He received a prosthetic and practiced walking as much as his body would allow him to. His vision in both eyes started to decline and unfortunately he lost complete vision in his left eye by 2017. Alberto was a fighter. He fought his entire life from trying to do better for himself as a young adult to being the best father for his kids. He put his kids before everything in his life, including his health. He worked as hard as he could to give them a life he wished he had. Alberto was loved and looked up to by many. He was a man that no one could speak ill about. He was truly a one-of-a-kind man. He will forever be our eternal warrior. Husband, Father and Grandpa forever.

Alberto is survived by his wife, Josefina Maria, his daughters Josefina De Guadalupe, Bianca Azusena, Lizbeth Dilenia, his sons Alberto D., Angel E. and his grandson, Jeremiah Maddox Mitchell and Pete Berumen, who he considered a brother.

He was preceded in death by his Father, Alberto Daniel; Mother, Guadalupe Ramirez and his father in law, Anastacio Ramos.